Apparatus for sequentially deploying specimen collectors at selected depths in a body of water

ABSTRACT

An oceanographic apparatus adapted to be submerged from a craft in a body of water by an end weighted cable for retaining a plurality of compacted specimen collectors for sequential release by remote electric control from the surface craft to descend along the cable to a plurality of predetermined distances for electric deployment for each specimen collector at a predetermined depth when the cable and collectors are towed by a craft or held in a current including automatic means for closing each collector to retain collected specimens therein prior to retraction to the surface by the cable.

United States Patent 1 Niskin APPARATUS FOR SEQUENTIALLY DEPLOYINGSPECIMEN COLLECTORS AT SELECTED DEPTHS IN A BODY OF WATER [76] Inventor:Shale J. Niskin, 9400 S. W. 63

Court, Miami, Fla. 33156 [22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. h1g2206,365

52 us. c1... ..43/8, 43/9 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lk 73/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..43/8, 7, 9, 4; 73/421 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,720,047 10/1955 lsaacs ..43/7

Niskin ..43/8 Brown et al. ..43/8

Primary Examiner-Warner H. Camp Att0rney-Lloyd .l. Andres [5 7] ABSTRACTAn oceanographic apparatus adapted to be submerged from a craft in abody of water by an end weighted cable for retaining a plurality ofcompacted specimen collectors for sequential release by remote electriccontrol from the surface craft to descend along the cable to a pluralityof predetermined distances for electric deployment for each specimencollector at a predetermined depth when the cable and collectors aretowed by a craft or held in a current including automatic means forclosing each collector to retain collected specimens therein prior toretraction to the surface by the cable.

6 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. SH ALE J.

NISKIN Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,855

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4

54 INVENTORY SHALE J. NISKIN Patented May 1, 1973' 3,729,855

7 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOR. J. NISKIN Patented May 1, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet4.

INVENT'OR SHALE J. NISKIN i w w Patented May 1, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. SHALE J. NISKIN OZZIWM Patented May 1, 1973 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 nM. Q mN E N W E \J My WUX FIG 14 o 8 A n K. a 1 l f Iii m v v I ml h PM1 2 1 M C d M 1 b M M Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,855

7 Sheets-sheaf 7 INVENTOR. SHALE J. NISKIN APPARATUS FOR SEQUENTIALLYDEPLOY ING SPECIMEN COLLECTORS AT SELECTED DEPTIIS IN A BODY OF WATERThis invention relates in general to marine specimen collecting devicesfor obtaining samples of a wide range of marine life, such as algae, atradically different measured depths and in currents of various velocity.

Reference is bad to applicantspending application, Ser. No. 830,951,filed June 6, 1969 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,433.

The present invention includes improvements for obtaining long soughtmarine specimens from pre selected, measured, extremely great depths inthe ocean with a high degree of precision, as well as providing apressure resistant container means permitting mechanical functions torelease and deploy specimen collectors at precise predetermined depths,which container means may include recording devices for current velocityand direction measurement, as well as the temperature and hydrostaticpressure encountered.

A further object of the invention is the provision of electric means insaid container operated by the cable and conductor retention of thesurface craft to sequentially electrically release specimen collectorsat predetermined depths.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pressureequalizing system in the lower portion of the container for permittingthe free rotation of the release shaft which extends through thecontainer when the container is subject to high hydrostatic pressureencountered at great depths.

These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of theinvention are described and shown in the following specification anddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation in reduced scale of the completeapparatus for sequentially collecting marine specimens from differentdepths in a body of water.

FIG. 2 illustrates in reduced scale the apparatus shown in FIG. 1submerged in a body of water by a cable from a craft.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with thesupporting and electric cables cut away.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary normal scale cross sectional elevation takenthrough section line 4-4, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged bottom plan view of the container shownin FIG. 1, taken through section line 55, FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view taken through section line 6-6, FIG.4, showing the collector release elements in latched position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through section line7--7, FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken through section line 8-8, FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view in reduced scale ofa collector assembly inopen position.

FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control circuitry in thecraft and the responsive circuitry in the container for the release ofthe collectors.

FIG. 11 is a perspective developed view of six specimen collectorpouches with one thereof showing a compacted collector and itsassociated elements.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation of a pouch retained in closedposition on the container.

FIG. 13 is a greatly reduced side elevation of the collector apparatuswith one collector released from the pouch.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross sectional side elevation illustrating theelectric release of a pouch.

FIG. 15 illustrates the first of a sequence of released collectorsapproaching contact with its weight.

FIG. 16 illustrates the further descent of the released collector andthe action of the choke means for closing same to retain the specimenstherein.

FIG. 17 illustrates the release of all six specimen collectors forclosure by a choke means approaching the stacked position of their leadweights.

F I6. 18 is a perspective illustration of the position assumed by eachcollector when subject to retraction by the cable to the craft.

FIG. 1 illustrates a specimen collection assembly 1 which includes acylindrical hollow tubular body 2 for containing a mensuration apparatusand a flexible wrap-around sheet retainer 3 secured to body 2 forholding six pouches 4 secured thereon for removably retaining compactedspecimen collectors with the means for dispensing collectors, to behereinafter described. The wrap-around container provides for convenientinterchanging of various types of specimen collectors.

The upper end of the body 2 has hermetically secured thereon acylindrical coaxial top closure member 5 to which is secured asuspension cable 6 by means of a fastener or ring 7 in a suitableaperture and .a hermetically sealed insulated electric plug 8 from whichextends a waterproof insulated electric conductor 9 to the craft.

A generally cylindrical bottom housing 10 is hermetically sealed in thelower end of said body and includes a specimen container releaseapparatus to be hereinafter described. A combination stabilizing andmain deployment cable 11 is secured in a Y connection 12 to a pair ofspaced holes in the lower end of housing 10, as shown. The lower end ofthe cable terminates in a ballast weight 13, for stabilizing the angleof the apparatus from vertical when towed or in a current. A pluralityof cylindrical weights 140, b, c, d, e,f, are slidably retained on cable11 and normally held in an idle position, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, a specimen gathering water craft 15 illustrates theinitial descent of the specimen collection assembly I in a body of waterunder the influence of gravity and the ballast weight 1.3 prior to therelease 'of any specimen collection apparatus which is lowered bysuspension cable 6 to a predetermined depth by adjustment of winch means16, which is also synchronized with electric conductor 9 of the electriccircuit for the sequential release of the collectors by manuallycontrolled electric control apparatus 17, on board the craft.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the specimen collection assembly with theclosed pouches in place and supported by craft l5 and cable 6 andconnected by electric conductor 9. The six specimen collecting pouchesshown in this embodiment are secured to a flexible reinforced plasticsheet retainer adapted to be secured around the body 2 of the collectionassembly by well known means. Each pouch has a pair of opposite flaps18-18 and l9- -l9, better shown in FIG. 11, which when folded inoverlapped relation, as shown, will retain one compacted specimencollector 20 from which various lines extend from each pouch, to behereinafter described.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the release device for each pouch shows astud 21 secured in one flap 18 for each pouch and which loosely projectsthrough a grommet 22 which is crimped into each flap 18 and 19. Anoffset flap release pin 23 is slidably positioned through a verticaltransverse hole in the outer portion of each stud 21. A release line orwire 24 terminates in a pouch release ring 25 and is responsive tospring 26 in series with the upper wire 24 which is fixed to retainer 3by a patch 27 on the sheet retainer for securing the expanded head onthe upper end of the wire 24.

It is now apparent that when the ring 25 is constrained against thetension of spring 21, the pin 23 will maintain a locked position in stud21 and the free release of ring 25 will permit the spring 26 to retractstud 21 and permit the flaps 18l8 and 19--l9 to open and release thecompacted collector assembly to descend by gravity from the pouch, asillustrated in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, and specifically to FIG. 4, the body 2is broken away showing the hollow chamber CC which provides space forvarious recording devices, such as velocity, flow direction, depth, andtemperature, etc.

Again referring to FIG. 4, the lower end of the closure member isprovided with a stepped junction into the upper end of body 2, as shown,which includes an appropriate groove for an elastomer O-ring 28 forpressure sealing the junction. The conductor 9 in this particularembodiment requires a single conductor 29 which traversesthrough theelectric plug 8, made of insulating material, threaded into closuremember 5 which includes an elastomer O-ring 30 as a seal with theconductor terminating in a pin 31 which is adapted to receive apull-apart socket, to be hereinafter described. 7

It is obvious that when the electric apparatus for recording electricdata is used within the body 2, then the plug 8-and conductor 9 includemulti conductors for energizing the recording apparatus. The housingwhich includes electric operated apparatus for the deployment of the sixcollectors, has a coaxial cylindrical bore therein mated with a bore oflike diameter in the lower end of the body 2, as shown in FIG. 6,including a shoulder 32 therein. A cylindrical plug 33 is clooselyfitted with a pair of spaced grooves in the outer periphery thereof forretaining a pair of elastomer O-rings 34 and a coaxial circular grooveon the lower face of the plug for retaining an elastomer O- ring 35.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show two sets of four spaced radial screws 36 through body2 and threaded into the outer periphery of the plug 33 for securing theupper closure member 5 to the lower end of the body 2. The plug 33 has acentral bore therethrough of two diameters forming a shoulder 37, bestshown in FIG. 4, and having an internal peripheral groove around thelarge diameter of the bore for retaining an elastomer O-ring 38, whichis adapted to receive a cylindrical electric plug 39 which is secured inthe bore by a pair of screws 40, as shown.

Thus, the chamber C within the body 2 and the chamber B in the housing10 are hermetically sealed from each other.

Referring to FIG. 7, the top closure member 5 is secured to the body 2by screws 67 and sealed to an inset portion by an O-ring 68.

Again referring to FIG. 4, an electro-magnetic stepping motor 41 havingtwelve stepping positions is supported in coaxial relation in chamber Bby a flange member 42 by three screws 43 and two set screws 44 with onlyone of each appearing in FIG. 4. The electric conductors of the motorare connected to plug 39, as shown, with the exception of the groundlead, which is connected to the ground screw 40, which in turn iselectrically common to housing 10. The slotted output shaft 45 of themotor is coupled to a tongue of a cam shaft 46, which shaft is securedfor rotation through a bearing 47 containing a hermetically sealed0-ring 48 which is also journalled in a bearing 49 in a coaxial latchseating member 50 coaxially threaded in the end of lower housing 10. Thelatch surface is conical and coaxial with the axis of shaft 46. Themotor isprovided to rotate a cam 51, having an upward sloping projection52, secured on the lower portion of the shaft 46 which extends from thechamber B. The shaft terminates in a knurled slotted end 53 for thepurpose of manually rotating the shaft for test and initial setting. Thetwo upper Y connections 12 of the cable 11 terminate in a pair of rings54-54.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, twelve radial slots 55 are provided in aconvergent conical form in the lower end of the housing 10. Each slotretains a line release lever 56 pivotally retained on transverse pins57. A latch 58 is positioned beneath and corresponding with each linerelease lever 56 by an adjustment upper stop screw 59 which bearsagainst one side of a bore 60 in housing 10 and includes a bore 61 in aside opposite screw 59, which contains a coil spring 62 and a ball 63bearing against the upper portion of a bore 64, which retains each latch58. Thelower end of the latch 58 is provided with a latching shoulder 65which when cocked engages the edges of a coaxial conical latchingsurface 66 around the upper periphery of the latch seating member 50. Inthis latch position, the outer end of the latch serves to hold the lever56 in its line holding position.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the deployment and recovery of eachspecimen collector is dependent upon the release of slidable fastenerrings from the levers 56. It is to be understood that the fasteners maybe of other type than the metal rings shown and it is clear that eachring 25 which holds each pouch in closed position is sequentiallypositioned on each alternate lever 56 when in holding position, togetherwith fastener ring 69, which is secured in a portion of the deploymentline 70, which terminates in a ring 73 positioned on each alternateremaining lever 56 in holding position. The remaining portion of thedeployment line 71 is secured to noose 79 and passed through the shroud78 of tow ring 77 of each container and terminating in a ring 72 securedto the upper portion of each weight 14. The net body 74 is opened by theaction of the water against the conical rim 76 and the flexible cylinderfor holding the specimens, which may be of porous material.

A line 80 is secured to each closure noose 79 around the mid-portion ofeach specimen collector on a ring 81 attached to the end of the line,which is secured to ring 82 at the lower end of each said weight 14.

It is well known that an air filled cavity, such as shown in housing 10,with a rotary shaft extending therethrough regardless what character ofseal used, will not function nor will the seal withstand the super highpressures of the water encountered at great depths, such as 3,000 10,000feet. This problem is overcome in the present invention by the provisionof four lateral bores 83 in plug 33. The other ends of the cylindricalbores communicate with the outer water through the small unsealedopening between the bottom circular edge of body 2 and the mating uppercircular edge of housing 10. Each of the bores 83 have slidablypositioned therein a free plastic piston 84, preferably made from nylon,and grooved to retain an elastomer 0-ring 85. The inner end portion ofeach bore communicates to the chamber B in the housing through thecircular opening 83a.

The entire chamber B is filled with a medium to high viscous chemicallyneutral oil which fills all empty space including that within the motor41 whereby the pressure exerted against the seal of shaft 46 is exactlyneutralized by oil pressure resulting from the inward movement of thepistons 84 due to the water pressure applied to the cylinders throughthe junctions of the body 2 and the housing 10. Thus the shaft 46 andprojection 52 is free to move without excessive restriction.

In view of the pressure of oil in the chamber B, 0- rings of oilresistant material, such as Neoprene, are necessary.

Although there are many electric circuits for operating the steppingmotor 41 for movement from a surface craft via cable, an effectivecircuit is shown in FIG. 10, wherein like magnetic rotary switches areused in both surface and the specimen collection assembly, the schematicof which provides an electro-magnetic stepping switch motor 86-87energized by a manual momentary switch 88 and a two position single poledouble throw impulse relay 89 with one terminal thereof connected inseries with the electro-magnet of the step switch by a conductor 90 andthe remaining terminal of the impulse switch connected to theoscillatory blade 91 thereof. A pair of different colored electric lamps92 and 93 are connected to any adjacent pair of contacts on the motor 87by conductors 94 and 95 and a source of electric power 96 and oneterminal connected to momentary switch 88 by conductor 97 with theremaining terminal of the switch connected to the remaining terminal ofthe step switch motor by conductor 98.

The rotary blade of the step switch motor is connected to ground whichis the body of water by a conductor 99 and the remaining terminal of thesource of power is connected to the lamps by a conductor 100. Onecontact of the impulse relay 89 connects to each alternate contact ofthe step switch 87 by a conductor 101 and the remaining contact of theimpulse switch connects to the remaining alternate contacts by aconductor 102. The conductor 100 connects to the insulated conductor 9and the remaining terminal of the source of power 96 and connects to oneterminal of the electro-magnetic step switch 86w-87w, which is identicalto the previously described step switch. The remainder of the electricelements shown in the dotted outline in housing 10 are identical tothose previously shown.

The electric connections in the apparatus begin with conductor 29terminating through plug 8 in a pin 31 on which a connector 103 carriesa conductor 104 into box 106 for relay 89w and blade 91w and its relatedconductors are coupled to motor 41 through plug 105 attached tomulti-plug 39, best shown in FIG. 4.

It is therefore apparent that the segmental rotation of the motor 41will sequentially trip each latch 58 and permit the corresponding lever56 to disengage therefrom and permit any fastener thereon to disengage.

Referring to FIG. 1, it is apparent that when the apparatus is in itsinitial position the lines from each col lector in each housing have adifferent predetermined length in order to provide an end to endrelation of the six weights 14 and to provide different depths ofdeployment in their gravity movement down the cable 11. Under theassumption that the shaft 53 is positioned to first release thecollector corresponding with the lowermost weight 14f, then the entireapparatus is lowered by winch means 16 from the craft to the desireddepth and towed at a desired velocity or positioned in the path ofacurrent in the water, the momentary switch 88 is operated one cyclewhich will simultaneously release a corresponding lever 56 to dischargea first collector from its pouch and permit same to descend by gravityalong the deployment line and open in close proximity to the arresteddescent of the first weight 14f, shown in FIG. 15, whereby specimencollection will occur.

The next operation of the momentary switch 88 will release the firstadjacent lever 56 and permit the deployment line fastener 73 to descend,which will also permit the line 70 to disengage from the tow ring 77 andalso effect the choke action of the noose 79 by means of the restraintof line 30, thus captivating specimens within the collector. Thissequence of operation may be continued in close or distant areas undertow, as desired, however it is apparent that instead of alternatelydeploying and releasing and closing each collector, it is practical torelease all collectors along cable 11 at periodic intervals and thenreleasing and closing each collector in sequence by merely changing thesequential arrangement of the rings on the levers 56 and omitting theimpulse relay 89 and connecting all contacts to one conductor.

It is to be understood that certain modifications in construction areintended to come within the teachings and scope of the abovespecification.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus for deploying specimen collectors at selected depths ina body of water from a moving craft comprising means forming anelongated hollow casing,

said casing having a lower end housing,

an extendable and retractable first cable in said craft with one endsecured to the upper end of said cas- 8,

a second cable with one end thereof secured to the lower end of saidhousing and a ballast weight secured to the opposite end thereof forminimizing the angular deflection of said casing from a verticalposition when moved in said body of water,

a plurality of pouch means secured to the outer periphery of said casingwith each said pouch means having a plurality of self opening enclosureflaps engaged by a releasable closure holding means for independentlyholding the said flaps on each of said pouch means in closed positionand retaining a compacted said specimen collector in each said pouchmeans,

each said specimen collector having a slidable towing member secured onthe inlet side thereof,

a first and second independent holding lever corresponding to each saidpouch means spaced around the periphery of said housing with each saidlever independently pivoted for movement from a latched holding positionto a release position,

a flap release line for normally holding each said fiap on said pouch inclosed position with said line terminating in a slidable fastener meansretained on each said second holding lever when in said holding positionincluding spring means biased between said flap closure holding meansand said casing for urging the release of said closure holding meansagainst the restraining action of said lever for releasing said closureholding means from said flaps when said lever is moved to said releaseposition,

electro-mechanical means in said housing for sequentially operating eachsaid levers from said latched holding position to said release positionwhen sequentially electrically operated,

a deployment weight corresponding to each said pouch and collectortherein slidably positioned on said second cable for positioning in endto end relation along the upper portion of said cable when saidapparatus is in idle position,

a deployment line for each said collector with the said towing memberthereof slidably on said line with each said line progressivelyincreased in length with one end of each terminating in a fastener meansslidably retained on said second lever corresponding with each collectorwith the opposite end of each said deployment line independently securedto a successive deployment weight in sequential relation to saidcollectors,

a deployment fastener in series with. each of said deployment linessecured at a successively lesser distance than the said first onethereof with said collector deployment fastener slidably retained on acorresponding said first holding lever when the latter is in saidholding position for supporting said successive weights in said end toend relation on said upper portion of said second cable,

electric means on said craft for manually and sequentially momentarilyenergizing said electromechanical means,

electric conductors connecting said electrically operated means withsaid electro-mechanical means,

a' normally open closure means on each said specimen collector includinga closure and retrieving line connected thereto of predetermined lengthwith the end thereof secured to each said weight for closing each saidcollector when said deployment line is released and the said collectorgravitates to its corresponding weight and the momentary operation ofsaid electric means on said craft will momentarily energize saidelectromechanical means to operate same and release a said first leverto move from said holding to said release position to permit saidlowermost weight to descend by gravity on said second cable andsimultaneously operate said closure release member and permit said flapsto open and release said first collector corresponding to the lowermostsaid weight to descend along said deployment line to a lowermostposition and open by the force of water therethrough for collectingmarine specimens and the subsequent alternate sequential momentaryoperation of said electric means on said craft will sequentially releasethe remainder of said specimen collectors and deploy each at a differenthigher level depending upon the predetermined length of each saiddeployment line.

2. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein each said specimencollector is substantially conical in shape with the major portionthereof made of net-like fabric and the open input end collar connectedby a plurality of shrouds to a towing ring which is slidably positionedfor descending movement along the entire length of each said deploymentlines with the small conical end thereof opening into a cylindricalspecimen retention receptacle.

3. In an apparatus for deploying specimen collectors at a plurality ofdepths in a body of water from a moving craft comprising a main casingsecured to a cable for measured descent in a body of water from saidcraft,

a plurality of specimen collectors releasably secured to said casingincluding a tow means on each said collectors,

a release means associated with each of said collectors and said casingfor disengaging same from said casing when operated,

a housing having a sealed central cavity therein secured to the lowerend of said casing and including a plurality of pairs of first andsecond independent levers corresponding with each of said collectors andextending around the outside of said housing and manually movable from aholding position to a release position,

a spring urged latch means operatively related with each said lever forholding same in said holding position when said latch means is engagedwith a fixed circular striker edge centrally positioned in said housing,

an electric stepping motorin said housing for sequentially rotating asealed cam shaft coaxially projecting through the bottom of said housingand including a cam projection for sequentially releasing each saidlatch means from engagement with said striker edge when rotated,

said motor and said projection adapted and constructed to sequentiallyrotate through a plurality of angles equal to the number of said leverswhen momentarily and sequentially energized for releasing each of saidlevers from its holding to its release position,

a cable of predetermined length extending downward from said housing andterminating in a ballast weight secured at the lower end thereof,

a plurality of deployment weights corresponding with of said borecommunicating with said central cavity,

a piston having a sealing ring thereon slidably positioned in said bore,

said cavity and all voids related. thereto including the space on theinner side of said piston filled with predetermined neutral fluidwhereby water pressure applied to the outside of said housing includingthe force against the bearing clearance and seal of said cam shaft willbe neutralized by the equal and opposite pressure applied to the outerside of said piston through the said communication to the outer side ofsaid cylinder.

6. The construction recited in claim 3 including an electrictransmission system in said craft comprising an electric stepping motorand a single pole double throw alternate pulse relay and a momentaryswitch and a source of electric power and a first circuit means,

line terminating in a fastener means connected to the second of the pairof each said levers whereby each said collector will be deployed by saidtow means on each of said deployment lines at a predetermined differentdepth from said housing a like stepping motor and like single poledouble throw alternate pulse relay including a second circorrespondingto the position of each said weight d tdr it e S b and each saidcollector when the first of each pair cult P F i to l c m an y atransmission circuit, of said levers 15 released by said latch meanswhen h stepping motor h i a number f contacts said stepping motorismomentarily'energiledcorresponding to the number of levers in said 4.The construction recited in claim 3 including a 5 housing whgreby themanual momentary pe -acombination specimen collector closure andrecovery tion of said momentary switch will energize like line ofpredetermined length with one end thereof contacts in both steppingmotors and each said secured to each of said deployment weights, relayto rotate said cam projection to release a first a normally open closuremeans on the input portion said specimen collector and permit the firstsaid of each said collector connected to the remaining weight to deploysaid first collector for obtaining end of said recovery line whereby therelease of specimens at a predetermined depth and whereby eachdeployment line will permit same to disena second manual operation ofsaid momentary gage from said corresponding tow line and permit switchwill energize said stepping motors to coneach weight and saidcorresponding collector to tact said second contacts and energize eachsaid gravitate to the lower portion of said cable with relay to T616356Said deployment line from its Said each said weight in stacked relationupon said ballevel and Permit Said recovery line to close said lastweight and subject to recovery with said apclosure means of Said p ycollector and P params mit said first weight and said first collector to5. The construction recited in claim 3 including a gravitate. to the endPortion of Said Cable sealed closure member in the upper end of saidhousaboYe 531d welghi and the ing a v cesslve operation of said switchwrllsequentially at least one transverse cylindrical bore in saidclosure deploy and release for recovery sald collectors member with theouter end thereof communicat- 9" id apparatusing to the outside of saidhousing and the inner end

1. An apparatus for deploying specimen collectors at selected depths ina body of water from a moving craft comprising means forming anelongated hollow casing, said casing having a lower end housing, anextendable and retractable first cable in said craft with one endsecured to the upper end of said casing, a second cable with one endthereof secured to the lower end of said housing and a ballast weightsecured to the opposite end thereof for minimizing the angulardeflection of said casing from a vertical position when moved in saidbody of water, a plurality of pouch means secured to the outer peripheryof said casing with each said pouch means having a plurality of selfopening enclosure flaps engaged by a releasable closure holding meansfor independently holding the said flaps on each of said pouch means inclosed position and retaining a compacted said specimen collector ineach said pouch means, each said specimen collector having a slidabletowing member secured on the inlet side thereof, a first and secondindependent holding lever corresponding to each said pouch means spacedaround the periphery of said housing with each said lever independentlypivoted for movement from a latched holding position to a releaseposition, a flap release line for normally holding each said flap onsaid pouch in closed position with said line terminating in a slidablefastener means retained on each said second holding lever when in saidholding position including spring means biased between said flap closureholding means and said casing for urging the release of said closureholding means against the restraining action of said lever for releasingsaid closure holding means from said flaps when said lever is moved tosaid release position, electro-mechanical means in said housing forsequentially operating each said levers from said latched holdingposition to said release position when sequentially electricallyoperated, a deployment weight corresponding to each said pouch andcollector therein slidably positioned on said second cable forpositioning in end to end relation along the upper portion of said cablewhen said apparatus is in idle position, a deployment line for each saidcollector with the said towing member thereof slidably on said line witheach said line progressively increased in length with one end of eachterminating in a fastener means slidably retained on said second levercorresponding with each collector with the opposite end of each saiddeployment line independently secured to a successive deployment weightin sequential relation to said collectors, a deployment fastener inseries with each of said deployment lines secured at a successivelylesser distance than the said first one thereof with said collectordeployment fastener slidably retained on a corresponding said firstholding lever when the latter is in said holding position for supportingsaid successive weights in said end to end relation on said upperportion of said second cable, electric means on said craft for manuallyand sequentially momentarily energizing said electro-mechanical means,electric conductors connecting said electrically operated means withsaid electro-mechanical means, a normally open closure means on eachsaid specimen collector including a closure and retrieving lineconnected thereto of predetermined length with the end thereof securedto each said weight for closing each said collector when said deploymentline is released and the said collector gravitates to its correspondingweight and the momentary operation of said electric means on said craftwill momentarily energize said electro-mechanical means to operate sameand release a said first lever to move from said holding to said releaseposition to permit said lowermost weight to descend by gravity on saidsecond cable and simultaneously opErate said closure release member andpermit said flaps to open and release said first collector correspondingto the lowermost said weight to descend along said deployment line to alowermost position and open by the force of water therethrough forcollecting marine specimens and the subsequent alternate sequentialmomentary operation of said electric means on said craft willsequentially release the remainder of said specimen collectors anddeploy each at a different higher level depending upon the predeterminedlength of each said deployment line.
 2. The construction recited inclaim 1 wherein each said specimen collector is substantially conical inshape with the major portion thereof made of net-like fabric and theopen input end collar connected by a plurality of shrouds to a towingring which is slidably positioned for descending movement along theentire length of each said deployment lines with the small conical endthereof opening into a cylindrical specimen retention receptacle.
 3. Inan apparatus for deploying specimen collectors at a plurality of depthsin a body of water from a moving craft comprising a main casing securedto a cable for measured descent in a body of water from said craft, aplurality of specimen collectors releasably secured to said casingincluding a tow means on each said collectors, a release meansassociated with each of said collectors and said casing for disengagingsame from said casing when operated, a housing having a sealed centralcavity therein secured to the lower end of said casing and including aplurality of pairs of first and second independent levers correspondingwith each of said collectors and extending around the outside of saidhousing and manually movable from a holding position to a releaseposition, a spring urged latch means operatively related with each saidlever for holding same in said holding position when said latch means isengaged with a fixed circular striker edge centrally positioned in saidhousing, an electric stepping motor in said housing for sequentiallyrotating a sealed cam shaft coaxially projecting through the bottom ofsaid housing and including a cam projection for sequentially releasingeach said latch means from engagement with said striker edge whenrotated, said motor and said projection adapted and constructed tosequentially rotate through a plurality of angles equal to the number ofsaid levers when momentarily and sequentially energized for releasingeach of said levers from its holding to its release position, a cable ofpredetermined length extending downward from said housing andterminating in a ballast weight secured at the lower end thereof, aplurality of deployment weights corresponding with said collectorsslidably secured for gravity movement from an upper idle position to apredetermined selected deployment position and downward to a recoveryposition, deployment lines of progressive different predeterminedlengths slidably through each said tow means of each collector andhaving one end of each thereof connected to each said weight and aslidable fastener means connected at predetermined progressiveintermediate positions on each said line and said line terminating in afastener means slidably retained on a lever corresponding with each saidcollector and the end of each said line terminating in a fastener meansconnected to the second of the pair of each said levers whereby eachsaid collector will be deployed by said tow means on each of saiddeployment lines at a predetermined different depth from said housingcorresponding to the position of each said weight and each saidcollector when the first of each pair of said levers is released by saidlatch means when said stepping motor is momentarily energized.
 4. Theconstruction recited in claim 3 including a combination specimencollector closure and recovery line of predetermined length with one endthereof secured to each of said deployment weights, a normally openClosure means on the input portion of each said collector connected tothe remaining end of said recovery line whereby the release of eachdeployment line will permit same to disengage from said correspondingtow line and permit each weight and said corresponding collector togravitate to the lower portion of said cable with each said weight instacked relation upon said ballast weight and subject to recovery withsaid apparatus.
 5. The construction recited in claim 3 including asealed closure member in the upper end of said housing, at least onetransverse cylindrical bore in said closure member with the outer endthereof communicating to the outside of said housing and the inner endof said bore communicating with said central cavity, a piston having asealing ring thereon slidably positioned in said bore, said cavity andall voids related thereto including the space on the inner side of saidpiston filled with predetermined neutral fluid whereby water pressureapplied to the outside of said housing including the force against thebearing clearance and seal of said cam shaft will be neutralized by theequal and opposite pressure applied to the outer side of said pistonthrough the said communication to the outer side of said cylinder. 6.The construction recited in claim 3 including an electric transmissionsystem in said craft comprising an electric stepping motor and a singlepole double throw alternate pulse relay and a momentary switch and asource of electric power and a first circuit means, a like steppingmotor and like single pole double throw alternate pulse relay includinga second circuit means connected to said first circuit means by atransmission circuit, each stepping motor having a number of contactscorresponding to the number of levers in said housing whereby the manualmomentary operation of said momentary switch will energize like contactsin both stepping motors and each said relay to rotate said camprojection to release a first said specimen collector and permit thefirst said weight to deploy said first collector for obtaining specimensat a predetermined depth and whereby a second manual operation of saidmomentary switch will energize said stepping motors to contact saidsecond contacts and energize each said relay to release said deploymentline from its said lever and permit said recovery line to close saidclosure means of said deployed collector and permit said first weightand said first collector to gravitate to the lower end portion of saidcable above said ballast weight for recovery, and the successiveoperation of said switch will sequentially deploy and release forrecovery all said collectors on said apparatus.